Novel polyimidesiloxanes and methods for their preparation and use

ABSTRACT

Substantially fully imidized polyimidesiloxanes which are based on a selected pyridine compound are soluble in diglyme which gives them particular utility in the micro-electronics industry. The polymers are prepared from the dianhydride, a difunctional siloxane monomer and an organic dimaine that has the formula ##STR1## wherein X is hydrogen, halide, phenyl, or combinations thereof ##STR2## The preferred dimaine has the formula ##STR3## Other diamines can be used to provide an asymmetrical structure in the polyimidesiloxane polymer chain. The polyimidesiloxane can be prepared with functional groups which render them directly curable. The polyimidesiloxane can also be prepared with functional groups which when reacted with an unsaturated compound renders the polymers curable. The products of the invention can be used in the form of solutions in the micro-electronic industry. The polymers can also be used in wire and cable coating and to prepare films, fibers, and molded and extruded articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

A class of polymers known as polyimides has become known for its combination of good heat stability and high upper use temperatures, as measured by glass transition temperature. A particularly useful type of such polyimides is known as polyimidesiloxanes.

Because of their combination of properties, polyimidesiloxanes have been used in electronic applications, particularly in microelectronic components in the integrated circuit industry.

Because many of the previously known polyimidesiloxanes are insoluble or difficultly soluble in solvents, when used in the microelectronics industry, there is a great need for polyimidesiloxanes having improved solubility characteristics, as well as a better balance of heat resistance and upper use temperature.

The chemistry for making polyimides has been well-known since about 1960. A structurally simple polyimide can be prepared by reacting a diamine with a dianhydride. ##STR4##

The first step, or the polycondensation reaction. generates polyamide acids which are hydrolytically unstable even at room temperature. The second step, or the imidization reaction, produces the stable polyimides desired for various applications.

Polyimidesiloxanes can be prepared by reactions employing siloxane diamines or siloxane dianhydrides with organic comonomers. Polyimidesiloxanes can also be prepared from siloxane diamines and siloxane dianhydrides without an organic comonomer.

The first polyimidesiloxane was prepared by reacting pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) with 1,3-bis-(aminopropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyl disiloxane in 1966 (see V. H. Kuckertz, Macromol. Chem. 8, 1966, pp. 101-108). This polyimidesiloxane is a crystalline material and cannot be cast into flexible films from solvent. Polyimidesiloxanes derived from reactions of benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and α,w-diamino organo-polysiloxanes were disclosed by General Electric in 1967 in U.S. Pat. No. 3,325,450. Polyimidesiloxanes containing an α,w-diamino organo-polysiloxane and a diether dianhydride (DEDA) have also been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,867.

All these BTDA and DEDA containing polyimidesiloxanes are amorphous materials. They have a glass transition temperature of no more than 100° C. and, therefore, have very limited upper use temperatures, despite the excellent thermal stability of these polymers up to about 200° C.

Polyimidesiloxanes containing both organic and siloxane monomers have been reported for PMDA containing copolymers (see Japan Kokai Tokkyo Koho 83/7473 and 83/13631); for BTDA containing copolymers (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,553,282 and 4,404,350) and for diether dianhydride containing copolymers (U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,867). These PMDA containing polyimidesiloxanes are not soluble in any solvent. The BTDA containing polyimidesiloxanes are only soluble in high boiling or toxic solvents such as 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, commonly known as N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), phenol or cresol, and the like. The diether dianhydride containing polyimidesiloxane, in addition, are also soluble in chlorinated solvents such as dichlorobenzene and dichloromethane. Since these phenol and chlorinated compounds are both corrosive and highly toxic, the polyimidesiloxanes have limited application in coating applications, especially in heat sensitive electronic devices. This is also due to the fact that a NMP soluble polyimidesiloxane normally has to be heated to 350° C. for at least half an hour to remove all the residual solvent in a film having a micron-thickness.

Only a few polyimidesiloxanes are soluble, even in high boiling and relatively toxic solvents, such as 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), despite the fact that most of their polyamide acids are soluble. The usage of polyamide acids in coating applications has many drawbacks. First, a subsequent imidization reaction on substrates produces water. Therefore, it can only be used in very thin film coatings and where void-free property is not critical to performance. Second, the removal of high boiling, polar solvents, such as NMP, requires temperatures as high as 350° C. for about 30 minutes even for films of a micron thickness. This drying process is not only energy intensive, but also unacceptable to some heat sensitive electronic devices or substrates. In addition, the polyamide acids solution has to be stored at refrigeration temperature (<4° C.) and it still has a very short shelf life (about months). Finally, only the fully imidized polyimidesiloxanes are thermally stable for melt processing such as extrusion and injection molding. A soluble polyimidesiloxane can be fully imidized at temperatures of about 160° to 170° C. in a solvent, whereas imidization for insoluble polyimidesiloxanes in the solid state may require temperatures 50° C. above their glass transition temperatures which can be as high as 200° to 250° C. Shaping not fully imidized polyimidesiloxanes by the melt processing method produces voids in the products and often is not desirable.

A variety of organic dianhydrides have been used in making soluble polysiloxaneimides. Some of these dianhydrides are disclosed in my copending applications as follows.

My copending application Ser. No. 239,372, filed Sept. 1, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,645, as a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 032,272, filed Mar. 31, 1987, and now abandoned, discloses that fully imidized polyimidesiloxanes made from oxydiphthalic anhydrides are soluble in solvents such as diglyme, tetrahydrofuran and methyl ethyl ketone.

My copending application Ser. No. 154,168 filed Feb. 9, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,131 discloses that substantially fully imidized polyimidesiloxanes made from a mixture of a biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride and a benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride are soluble in solvents such as diglyme, tetrahydrofuran and methyl ethyl ketone.

My copending application Ser. No. 153,898, filed Feb. 9, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,452 discloses that substantially fully imidized polyimidesiloxanes made from a bis(dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropene dianhydride and mixtures with other dianhydrides are soluble in solvents such as diglyme, tetrahydrofuran and methyl ethyl ketone.

My copending application Ser. No. 205,412, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,437, filed June 10, 1988, discloses that substantially fully imidized polyimidesiloxanes made from sulfurdiphthalic anhydride are soluble in solvents such as diglyme, tetrahydrofuran and methyl ethyl ketone.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,099 describes a polyimide prepared from the reaction of an organic tetracarboxylic acid or derivative thereof with a mixture of an aromatic diamine and an amine-terminated silicone. Disclosed as suitable diamines are diamine pyridines, which are diprimary monotertiary amines. The polyimides are particularly useful in the preparation of flexible foams.

The above-noted U.S. Pat. No. 3,553,282 discloses making polyamic acids that may include 2,6-diaminopyridine. The patent does not teach how to make fully imidized and soluble polyimidesiloxanes. More specifically, the patent does not teach how to make a fully imidized, yet soluble, polyimidesiloxane from 2,6-diaminopyridine and dianhydrides such as BTDA and 6FDA.

A purpose of the present invention is to make novel polyimidesiloxanes.

Another purpose of the present invention is to develop a fully imidized polyimidesiloxane which is soluble in low boiling, non-polar and non-toxic solvent such as diglyme. Another purpose of the present invention is to develop the desirable polyimidesiloxanes based on less expensive and readily available organic monomers. Another purpose of the present invention is to develop less expensive polyimidesiloxane which can be readily scaled-up into commercially available, large scale production. Another purpose of the present invention is to develop less expensive polyimidesiloxanes which can be used in price sensitive applications or in favorable competitive performance/cost positions in cable jacket, as well as 3D molded wire board applications and where high volume and low price are essential.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide fully imidized polyimidesiloxanes which are soluble not only in high boiling solvents, such as NMP, but also in low boiling, low toxic, less polar solvents such as diglyme or tetrahydrofuran (THF). A further purpose of the invention is to provide polyimidesiloxanes that have a good balance of heat resistance and high upper use temperatures, as measured by glass transition temperatures.

Another purpose of this invention is to produce curable and cross-linked polyimidesiloxanes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to polysiloxaneimides that are prepared from compounds of the formula: ##STR5## wherein X is hydrogen, halide, phenyl or combinations thereof, ##STR6##

More specifically, the invention relates to polyimidesiloxanes that are prepared from 2,6-diamino-4-trifluoromethyl pyridine (2,6,4-DATF) which has the formula ##STR7##

These diamino pyridine compounds are useful in making polyimidesiloxanes that have high glass transition temperatures and good thermal stability.

Substantially fully imidized polyimidesiloxanes which are prepared from the foregoing pyridine compounds are soluble in diglyme which gives them particular utility in the micro-electronics industry. The latter polymers are prepared from the diamine, a difunctional siloxane monomer and an organic dianhydride.

The above-described diamino pyridines, which are diprimary amines, can be used in admixtures with other diamines such as the tolylene diamine.

Various organic dianhydrides can be used such as oxydiphthalic anhydride, sulfurdiphthalic anhydride, benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, the biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydrides, bis(dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropene dianhydride, and diether dianhydrides.

The polyimidesiloxanes of the invention can also be prepared with functional groups which render them directly curable. The polyimidesiloxanes can also be prepared with functional groups which when reacted with an unsaturated compound renders the polymers curable.

The products of the invention can be used in the form of solutions in the micro-electronic industry. The polymers can also be used in wire and cable coating and to prepare films, fibers, and molded and extruded articles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The Organic Diamine

The organic diamine component of the polyimidesiloxanes of the invention is the compound of the formula ##STR8## wherein X is hydrogen, halide, phenyl or combinations thereof ##STR9##

Examples of useful compounds of the above generic formula are as follows: ##STR10##

The preferred compound is 2,6-diamino-4-trifluoromethyl pyridine (2,6,4-DATF), which has the formula ##STR11##

The preparation of compounds with n=1, Ar= ##STR12## and Z=--O-- can be achieved, for instance, by the following reaction schemes: ##STR13##

It has been found that diamines that provide asymmetrical structure in the polyimidesiloxane chains are useful in combination with the amines such as 2,6,4-DATF, in making polyimidesiloxanes with the desirable and superior properties of this invention.

Other useful diamines that provide asymmetrical structure in the polyimidesiloxane chain have the following formula: ##STR14## where e, f, and g are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl or halogenated alkyl of 1 to 12 carbon atoms or aryl or halogenated aryl of 6 to 12 carbon atoms, provided that all of e, f, and g are not hydrogen. The preferred diamines have at least one alkyl substituent having at least one carbon atom.

Examples are

2,4-tolyldiamine

2,5-tolyldiamine

2,6-tolyldiamine

m-xylyldiamine

2,4-diamine-5-chloro toluene

2,4-diamine-6-chloro toluene

trifluoromethyl-2,4-diaminobenzene

2,4,6-trimethyl 1,3-diaminobenzene

Other useful diamine compounds that are asymmetrical in the polymer chain include compounds with the formula: ##STR15## wherein j is --CH₂ --, ##STR16##

Examples are:

m,m-methylene dianiline

m,m-sulfone dianiline.

o,m-sulfone dianiline.

Another suitable diamine that is asymmetrical in the polyimidesiloxane is diaminoanthraquinone.

An especially preferred diamine is a mixture of 2,4-tolyldiamine and 2,6-tolyldiamine, especially the commercially available mixture of about 80 weight percent 2,4-tolyldiamine and about 20 weight percent 2,6-tolyldiamine.

Small amounts up to about 25 weight percent of diamines that are not asymetrical in the polymer chain can be employed in the polyimidesiloxane compositions. Such other diamines are disclosed in U.S. Pats. Nos. 4,395,527 and 4,586,997, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Such auxiliary diamines have the formula ##STR17## wherein j is preferably ##STR18## for retaining solubility in diglyme, THF or MEK. In addition, the j can also be ##STR19## and --CH₂ -- for achieving only solubility in NMP. Additional organic diamines can be employed in much smaller quantities without affecting the favorable combinations of thermal stability glass transition temperature and solubility.

The Organic Anhydrides

The present invention is based on the discovery that the use of the above-described diamines (typified by 2,6,4-DATF) when reacted with organic dianhydrides provide fully imidized polyimidesiloxanes which have a unique combination of solubility and thermal properties.

Useful organic dianhydrides include compounds having the following general formula: ##STR20## wherein Ar₁ is ##STR21## wherein L is --O--, ##STR22## Other examples of such other dianhydrides are disclosed in U.S. Pats. Nos. 4,395,527 and 4,586,997, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. However, even though the incorporation of these dianhydrides may alter only slightly the solubility of the resulting polyimidesiloxanes in NMP or diglyme, these modified polyimidesiloxanes may become insoluble in solvents, such as MEK or THF. This limits their applications where a very low boiling, non-toxic solvent such as MEK is required. In addition, the incorporation of the diether dianhydrides (DEDA), also reduces the glass transition temperature and thermal stability of polyimidesiloxanes of the invention and limit their upper use temperatures.

Preferred organic anhydrides that can be used in the practice of the invention include:

Oxydiphthalic anhydrides (ODPA), such as disclosed in Ser. No. 239,372, filed Sept. 1, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,645, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference;

Sulfurdiphthalic anhydrides (SDPA), such as disclosed in Ser. No. 205,412, filed June 10, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,437, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference;

Sulfonediphthalic anhydrides;

Benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA);

Biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydrides (BPDA);

Bis(dicarboxyphenyl)-hexafluoropropene dianhydride, (6FDA);

Diether dianhydrides (DEDA); such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,527, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Mixtures of the foregoing anhydrides can also be employed. Particularly useful are the following mixtures of anhydrides:

BPTA and BTDA

6FDA and ODPA

6FDA and BPDA

BTDA and ODPA.

The Siloxane Monomers

Siloxane diamino compounds that can be used for the present invention have the following formula: ##STR23## wherein m, the average number of repeating units, is R₁ to about 200, and R₂, R₃, and R₄ are independently selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic mono-radical of 1 to 12 carbon atoms or substituted or unsubstituted aromatic mono-radical of 6 to 10 carbon atoms. Suitable radicals include --CH₃, --CF₃, --(CH₂)₂ CF₃, --C₆ H₅, --CF₂ --CHF--CF₃ and ##STR24##

R' is a di-radical of the foregoing types (i.e., R' is defined the same as R₁, R₂, R₃, or R₄ but is a di-radical instead of a mono-radical). Suitable di-radicals include --CH₂ --_(a), --CF₂ --_(a), --CH₂)_(a) (CF₂)_(b) --, and --C₆ H₄ --, wherein a and b=1 to 10.

The employment of an α,w-diaminosiloxane is important for achieving the desired solubility in diglyme, THF or MEK in the present invention. The siloxane diamine also provides the flexibility or resilience of the polyimicesiloxanes at low temperatures, especially when the m is an integer of more than about 5, or preferably more than about 7. When the m is more than about 50, the incorporation of diaminosiloxane into the polyimidesiloxane becomes difficult even though it is not impossible; and a dual solvent system (one polar and one non-polar solvent) for copolymerization may have to be employed. In general, the employment of the α,w-diaminosiloxane and α,w-dianhydride siloxane are interchangeable in the present invention. However, for making polyimidesiloxanes of high glass transition temperature, the mole percent of the mixture of dianhydrides in the total dianhydride should be maximized; and therefore, it is more desirable to employ the combination of the organic dianhydride with an organic diamine and an α,w-diaminosiloxane.

Siloxane dianhydrides which can be incorporated instead of or in addition to the siloxane diamines for the practice of the present invention can have the formula: ##STR25## wherein m is hereinbefore defined, R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are independently selected from a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic mono-radical of 1 to 12 carbon atoms substituted or unsubstituted aromatic mono-radical of 6 to 10 carbon atoms. Suitableoradicals include --CH₃, --CF₃, --(CH₂)_(z) CF₃ --CF₂ --CHF--CF₃, ##STR26## and --C₆ H₅.

R is a tri-radical of the foregoing type (i.e., R is defined the same as R₁, R₂, R₃, or R₄ but is a tri-radical instead of a mono-radical. Suitable tri-radicals include --CH<. ##STR27##

It is also well-known to those skilled in the art that when the C₆ H₅ -- or CF₃ CH₂ --CH₂ -- group is used in the siloxane block, in replacement of the --CH₃ group, the solubility of resulting polyimidesiloxanes in chlorinated solvents, such as CH₂ C₁₂ and ether solvent such as diglyme and THF will increase. In addition, the Polyimidesiloxane copolymers consist of phenylated siloxane block, or fluorinated siloxane block will also have higher thermal stability. This is due to the fact that the least thermally stable groups in the polyimidesiloxanes is the --CH₃ group on the siloxane block. Accordingly, without showing specific examples one can expect that polyimidesiloxanes of the present invention can be further improved by incorporating the --C₆ H₅ -- group or --CF₃ CH₂ --CH₂ -- group into their siloxane blocks in order to improve their solubility and thermal stability.

When various dianhydrides are employed, their solubility in various solvents, glass transition temperatures and thermal stability changes depending on the chemical nature of these co-monomers. For instance, when a siloxane dianhydride is incorporated in the presence of a dianhydride, the solubility of the polymer increases, while the glass transition temperature and thermal stability will be lowered. Therefore, depending on the requirements for applications, the incorporation of siloxane dianhydride may become unfavorable. On the other hand, when an organic dianhydride such as PMDA is added in small proportions of less than 5 mole percent, the resulting polyimidesiloxanes still has the desirable solubility in, for instance, NMP. The incorporation of PMDA can increase the glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the resulting polyimidesiloxanes, and, therefore, can provide more favorable products for extrusion or injection molding applications. However, one may also find that even with a small amount of PMDA in the polyimidesiloxanes, the resulting copolymers may become insoluble in solvents, such as diglyme, THF or MEK, and their applications as coating materials will be limited, for instance, in heat sensitive electronic devices or substrates.

The Process For Soluble Polyimidesiloxanes

Although the chemistry for reactions of organic diamines with organic dianhydrides has become well-known, the preparation of polyimidesiloxanes in the presence of the siloxane comonomers may sometimes require special techniques. For instance, when the repeating unit m, of the siloxane monomer is larger (i.e., >20 to 40), it may be desirable to use a dual solvent system: i.e., a solvent system consisting not only of a polar solvent, but also a less polar solvent. (See, for instance, McGrath et al., Polymer Preprints, 27 (2), 1986, pp. 403). It is also known that in the practice of making soluble polyimides, if a polyimide is soluble in a given solvent, in which the polyamide acid is not soluble, one can prepare the polyimide directly in a one step polymerization process, that is, by a simultaneous imidization and polycondensation process, referred to as the one-step process. This procedure can be advantageous, especially when a desirable polymer solution for coating applications has to be made out of a given solvent in which the polyamide acids are not soluble. The problem with the simultaneous imidization and polycondensation is that the depolymerization of the polyamide acid in the presence of the water which is produced during the imidization step, can be very severe. Theoretically, the depolymerization can become an irreversible process, since it produces a dicarboxylic acid and an amino compound. The carboxylic acid reacts with amino compounds at much higher temperatures as compared to the almost instantaneous reaction of the dianhydrides with the amino compounds at room temperature. The depolymerization of polyamide acids can become very severe at high temperatures. This one-step process often produces polyimidesiloxanes with much lower molecular weight as compared to those produced in a good solvent, in which the polyamide acid and the imidized polymers are both soluble, and one employs a two-step process. The two-step process employs a low temperature polycondensation step which generates very high molecular weight polyamide acid and then a very fast heating step to imidize and remove water generated from imidization.

The two-step process produces higher molecular weight materials which have higher thermal stability and mechanical strength, especially higher elongation at break. The polycondensation temperature for the two-step process should be below 60° C., preferably below room temperature. The imidization can be carried out at temperatures from 90° C. to 180° C., or the refluxing temperature of the solvents. When the boiling temperature of the desirable solvent for imidization is below 160° C., the use of dehydrating agents and/or a base catalyst is desirable. A suitable dehydrating agent is acetic anhydride. The catalyst is a tertiary amine, such as pyridine. When the acetic anhydride is employed, lower imidization temperatures can be employed to complete the imidization. In addition, an azeotropic agent with water can also be added to the reactor. The use of an azeotropic agent such as toluene can facilitate the removal of water presented in the reactor and minimize the depolymerization of the polyamide acids. When an azeotropic agent is employed, a continuous recovery of fresh azeotropic agent can be achieved by using also a Dean Stark trap under the condenser.

The degree of polycondensation is important for obtaining good thermal and mechanical properties in making polyimidesiloxanes. The reaction time for making high molecular weight polyimidesiloxanes is normally several times longer than that required for making polyimides due to the fact that the reactivity of the α,w-diamino or dianhydride siloxanes is normally lower than organic monomers. In general, the high molecular weight siloxane monomers react much slower than the organic monomers in a polar solvent. Accordingly, one can also expect that the microstructure of the polyimidesiloxane depends not only on the molar ratio of the organic to siloxane monomers (or the composition of the monomers), but also on the additional sequence of these monomers during polycondensation. For instance, when a high molecular weight α,w-diamino siloxane is employed, one sometimes finds that it is advantageous to first react the organic dianhydride without the presence of the organic diamine. This procedure not only can overcome the need of using a dual solvent system, but also can result in a much more uniform and controllable polyimide block size and distribution. Compared to a polyimidesiloxane with identical chemical make-up, but prepared with a different addition sequence (i.e., add all monomer together into a solvent at once) the polyimidesiloxane with more uniform and controlled imide size and distribution have a more soluble characteristic toward siloxane-like solvent or non-polar solvent. On the other hand, polyimidesiloxanes have the identical number average molecular weight of imide-block but having a broad molecular weight distribution will be less soluble in the diglyme or THF.

Depending on the property requirements for various applications, one can therefore design polyimidesiloxanes by their composition, but also control their microstructures through monomer addition sequence for one's advantage.

The solvents that can be used for the polymerization of the present invention are the phenol solvents; N,N-dialkylated carboxylamide solvents and monoalkylated or dialkylated ether type solvents. The examples of phenol solvents are phenol, o-cresol, m-cresol, o-chlorophenol, m-chlorophenol, p-fluorophenol, 2,4,6-tribromophenol; examples of N,N-dialkylated carboxylamide solvents are N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, NMP; ether type solvents are tetrahydrofuran (THF), diglyme or triglyme. Other solvents, such as γ-butyrolactone, sulfolane, dimethylsulfoxide and chlorinated benzenes such as p-dichloro benzene which are commonly mentioned in various polyimide patents can also be used.

Polyimidesiloxane can also be prepared in a melt polymerization process; especially when the glass transition temperature of the imide block is lower than say about 200° C.; or a large proportion (>25%) of the siloxane comonomers is employed. In practice, the melt polycondensation can be done in an extruder in which imidization can be achieved using a vented zone situated close to the outlet nozzle.

To achieve high molecular weight polyimidesiloxanes, the total moles of dianhydride component(s) should equal the total moles of diamine component(s). To reduce the molecular weight an excess of dianhydride, diamine components or small amounts of monofunctional compounds can be employed.

When the siloxane monomer is a diamine, for every 1 mole of siloxane diamine employed, assume that n moles of organic diamine is employed. Then C+1 moles of organic dianhydride is employed.

When the siloxane monomer is a dianhydride, for every 1 mole of siloxahe dianhydride employed, assume that C moles of organic dianhydride is employed. Then C+1 moles of organic diamine must be employed.

In the foregoing cases, C has a value of greater than 0.01 but no more than 40, preferably 20.

When 0.01≦C≦0.1, the polyimidesiloxane exhibit elastomeric or rubber properties and are useful for potting, encapsulation, and sealing applications. Especially, a cross-linking elastomeric polyimidesiloxane will have great value in the above-mentioned applications. When 0.1≦C≦10, polyimidesiloxanes with thermoplastic elastomeric properties are obtained. These materials are useful for wire, cable, injection molding and protective coating applications. When 10≦C≦40, very high strength and rigid thermoplastics are produced which are useful for molding and coating applications.

The Curable Polyimidesiloxanes

The soluble polyimidesiloxanes described above have many valuable properties and uses. However, limitations are found in their applications, especially in areas where higher chemical or creep resistance are desirable or even critical. For instance, most of the polyimidesiloxanes show limited hydraulic fluid or jet fuel resistance when their siloxane content is over 30 to 40%. Even though this weakness can be largely reduced by incorporating fluorinated compound into their backbone structure, in particular, into their siloxane blocks, it is still more desirable to convert these fluorinated polyimidesiloxanes into thermosets in order to achieve higher solvent and creep resistance. In general, when a cross-linkable polyimidesiloxane carries an acrylic functionally, it can be cured by either thermal or photo-method. A photosensitive or photocurable polyimidesiloxane is especially valuable for patterning applications in microchips or integrated circuit industries. Furthermore, these novel curable polyimidesiloxanes, as well as the soluble polyimidesiloxanes, can also find applications in passivation layer, alpha particle barrier, electron beam patterning, ion implant mask or interlayer dielectric in electronics and microelectronic industries.

The polyimidesiloxanes of the invention can be made curable by the inclusion of reactants that have functionalities that are capable of being cross-linked, or that have intermediate functionalities that can be suitable modified with cross-linkable moieties after formation of the pollymer. The required functionalities can be incorporated into the polymer of the invention by use of suitable diamines and/or siloxane compounds.

The diamine compounds have the characteristic described for the soluble polymers of a diamine that provide assymetrical structure in the polyimidesiloxane chains. The diamines further have the following general formula: ##STR28## wherein Ar₂ is aromatic, R" is a hydroxyl, hydrothiol or carboxylic radical, preferably a hydroxyl or carboxylic radical. The metals salts of the carboxylic groups are also contemplated. Suitable metals are sodium and silver. The typical examples of these compounds are, for instance, 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid and 3,5-di-aminophenol, and the like. Diamines that have functionalities that are capable of being cross-linked have the following general formula where R² is at least one of an acrylic - , ethylenic - , or an acetylenic-bearing radical.

The functionalized siloxane diamines or dianhydrides have the following general structure: ##STR29## wherein mis herebefore defined, D is either an amino or anhydride group and the R₁ is a diradical R' or a triradical R, such as described hereinbefore. Radicals R¹ ', R₂ ', R₃ ' and R₄ ' are the amse as R₂, R₃ and R₄ are described hereinbefore, except that one or more of R₁ ', R₂ ', R₃ ' and R₄ ' is a halogen, hydride (H), vinyl or a hydroxyl group, when D is an anhydride groups; or vinyl or hydroxyl when D is an amino group.

In the functionalized siloxane diamine or dianhydride moieties, the R₂ ', R₂ ', R₃ ', and R₄ ' groups can also be selected from acetylenic-, ethylenic- or acrylic-groups as a result of reaction of moieties containing hydride (H), hydroxyl, halogen and halide groups with acetylenic-, ethylenic- or acrylic-bearing compounds, respectively, as described hereafter.

Examples of the functionalized siloxane, α, w-diamino compounds can be the following: ##STR30## wherein d is an integer from 2 to 6, preferably 3 and 4; and R'" is a vinyl or hydroxyl group, and S+t=m =1 to 200, preferably 4-40 and t is an integer of 1 to 15, preferably 1 to 5.

The examples of the functionalized dianhydride are: ##STR31## where Examples of R include ##STR32## and R''" is selected from hydride (H), hydroxyl, halogen and vinyl groups, preferably the H and vinyl groups. The S and t have the same meanings as above.

The Process For Making Curable Polyimidesiloxanes

The procedures for making soluble polyimidesiloxanes are generally followed.

The comonomers are generally copolymerized in an appropriate solvent such as NMP or diglyme. The fully imidized, polyimidesiloxane which carries at least one kind of the functionalities described above, can then be further reacted or grafted with an acetylenic, ethylenic or acrylic-bearing compound to provide the final products desired for this invention. The grafting reaction is preferably conducted in a non-reactive solvent, preferably in diglyme, THF or MEK. Since there are many different functional groups that can be selected for the functionalized polyimidesiloxane, the grafting reaction desired for this invention has to be varied accordingly. For instance, when a carboxylic or hydroxyl-containing polyimidesiloxane is first prepared, the grafting of an acrylic group can be achieved by using either an epoxy-bearing acrylate such as the ##STR33## or an isocyanate-bearing acrylate such as ##STR34##

When the functional group of the polyimidesiloxane is located in the siloxane blocks, the grafting reaction can be achieved using either an hydrosilylation reaction or a condensation reaction. For instance, when a ##STR35## group is present in a polyimidesiloxane, the grafting can be achieved via hydrosilylation: i.e., reaction of a vinyl group with a Si-H group in the presence of a catalyst, such as a Pt catalyst. Therefore grafting of a ##STR36## compound results in an acrylate-bearing polyimidesiloxane. When a -OH or epoxy group is present in the polyimidesiloxane, on the other hand, the grafting can be achieved via a condensation reaction. For instance, the reactions of an isocyanate-bearing acrylate or an acrylic acid or methylacrylic acid with the hydroxyl or epoxy group on the polyimidesiloxane can result in an acrylic- bearing polyimidesiloxane desired for the present invention.

When an acetylenic-bearing compound also bears a carboxylic, an epoxy or isocyanato functionality, it is clear that the compounds can be grafted onto a polyimidesiloxane which carries an -OH or, a carboxylic group, respectively.

When an ethylenic group is present in the siloxane block of the polyimidesiloxane, it can be used as such, and further be cured thermally via free radical cross-linking reactions or can be further changed into polyimidesiloxanes which carry either an acrylic or an acetylinic group. The grafting reaction of this kind is difficult to achieve, however, due to the lack of appropriate chemicals.

To prepare the functionalized polyimidesiloxanes with a functional group presented in the imide block, it is preferred to start with an OH or -COOH-bearing diamino compound. On the other hand, this kind of siloxane monomer is usually not readily available. The incorporation of epoxy, silicone hydride or silicone hydroxyl group can be achieved via equillibration of the α,w-diamino or α,w- dianhydride siloxane with cyclic silicone epoxy, silicone hydride or silicone hydroxy compounds. In any event, it is preferred to graft the acrylic or ethylenic or acetylenic group rather than using an acrylic, ethylenic or acetylenic diamino or dianhydride compound for making the desired polyimidesiloxane. This is to avoid thermally cross-linking reactions of these functionalities during imidization of the polyimidesiloxane at high temperatures (about 160° to 170° C./2 hrs in solvent). A grafting reaction of a fully imidized polyimidesiloxane with the above described functionalities can be, in general, carried out at much lower temperatures. For instance, the hydrosilylation can be carried out at temperatures as low as 25° C. in the presence of a platinum catalyst. The condensation between the hydroxyl or carboxylic group with the epoxy group can be achieved at temperatures of no more than 120° C., within hours with the presence of a tertiary amine as a catalyst. In this invention, the pyridine compound serves as the tertiary amine. The reaction of an hydroxyl or carboxylic group with an isocyanate group needs even lower temperatures (RT to 80° C.), and the like.

To avoid the need for isolation of the reaction product from solvent., it is desirable to conduct the grafting reaction in the solvent which is acceptable for coating operations. The desirable solvents of these kinds are solvents with low flammability and/or toxicity, such as diglyme or MEK. The latter has been widely employed in coating industries due to its low boiling temperature.

In this specification and claims halogen shall refer to fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, but preferably to fluorine and chlorine. Aromatic generally refers to hydrocarbon aromatic.

In the following Examples and throughout the specification and claims, parts are by weight and temperatures are in degrees Celsius, unless indicated otherwise.

EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1

Into a 50 ml flask was added 1.86 grams of 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride (4,4'-ODPA), 0.71 gram of 2,6,-diamino-4-trifluoromethyl pyridine (2,6,4-DATF) and 1.68 grams of siloxane monomer G9 and 20 milliliters of NMP. The mixture was reacted at room temperature for 16 hours. Then the solution was cast in a Teflon mold at 140° C. for four hours. The temperature was raised to 250° C. for 1/2 hour. The resulting polymer film was designated as (OF')₂.0 G₉.

EXAMPLE 2

Example 1 was repeated using 1.76 grams of biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 0.71 gram of 2,6,4-DATF and 1.68 grams of siloxane monomer G₉. The resulting polymer product was designated (B'F')₂ G₉.

EXAMPLE 3

Example 1 was repeated using 1.96 grams of benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), 0.71 gram of 2,6,4-DATF and 1.68 grams of siloxane monomer G₉. The resulting polymer film was designated as (BF')₂ G₉.

EXAMPLE 4

Example 1 was repeated using 2.66 grams of bis(dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropene dianhydride (6FDA), 0.71 gram of 2,6,4-DATF and 1.68 grams of siloxane monomer G₉. The resulting polymer product was designated (FF')₂ G₉.

EXAMPLE 5

Example 1 was repeated using 5.17 grams of ODPA, 2.82 grams of siloxane monomer G₉, 1.09 grams of tolyl diamine (TDA) and 0.73 gram of 2,6,4-DATF. The resulting polymer films were designated as (OT₀.5 F'₀.5)₂ G₉.

EXAMPLE 6

Example 1 was repeated using 4.34 grams of ODPA, 3.38 grams of siloxane monomer G9 and 1.22 grams of TDA. The resulting films are designated as (OT)₂.5 G₉.

EXAMPLE 7

Example 3 was repeated using 1.93 g of BTDA, 0.24 g of 2,6,4-DATF, 0.33 g of TDA and 1.68 g of siloxane monomer G₉. The resulting polymer films were designated as (BF'₀.5 T₀.5)₂ G₉.

EXAMPLE 8

Example 1 was repeated using 5.17 g of ODPA, 2.82 g of siloxane monomer G₉, 0.81 g of TDA and 1.09 g of 2,6,4-DATF. The resulting polymer films were designated as (OF'₀.5 T₀.5)₂ G₉.

EXAMPLE 9

Example 3 is repeated using 4.83 g of BTDA, 6.66 g of 6-FDA, 3.48 g of 2,6,4-DATF, and 8.40 g of siloxane monomer G₉. The resulting polymer films are designated as (BF.sub..5 F₀.5)₂ G₉.

EXAMPLE 10

Example 1 is repeated using 4.65 g ODPA, 4.83 g BTDA, 1.74 g of 2,6,4-DATF, 1.21 g of TDA, and 8.40 g of siloxane monomer G₉. The resulting polymer films are designated as (O_(o).5 B₀.5 F'₀.5 T₀.5)₂ G₉.

EXAMPLE 11

Example 1 was repeated using 9.66 g of BTDA, 2.44 g of TDA and 8.40 g of siloxane monomer G₉. The resulting polymer films were designated as (BT)₂ G₉.

In the foregoing examples, G_(m) has the formula: ##STR37## where m indicates the average number of repeating units, as shown in Table 1, for example, G₈.75.

G₉. siloxane monomer is an equilibrium product of one mole of G₁ with 2 moles of D₄ at 87°-90° C. G₁ has the following structure: ##STR38## and D₄ is the cyclic tetramer having the formula ##STR39## In the formula, G has a nominal value of 9 units. Experimentally G has a value of about 8.75.

Solubility Tests and Results

Approximatley 0.1 go fpolysiloxaneimide films were added into 1 ml of diglyme. The mixture was heated to 60°-80° C./16hours. The solubility of those films were summarized as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                            Solubility                                                                            Solubility                                           Example No.                                                                             Structure       In NMP   In Diglyme                                   ______________________________________                                         1        (OF').sub.2 G.sub.9                                                                            +        -                                            2        (B'F').sub.2 G.sub.9                                                                           +        -                                            3        (BF').sub.2 G.sub.9                                                                            +        +                                            4        (FF').sub.2 G.sub.9                                                                            +        +                                            5        (OT.sub.0.5 F'.sub.0.5).sub.2 G.sub.9                                                          +        +                                            6        (OT).sub.2.5 G.sub.9                                                                           +         +*                                          7        (BF'.sub.0.5 T.sub.0.5).sub.2 G.sub.9                                                          +        +                                            8        (OF'.sub.0.5 T.sub.0.5).sub.2 G.sub.9                                                          +        +                                            9        (B.sub.0.5 F.sub.0.5 F').sub.2 G.sub.9                                                         +        +                                            10       (O.sub.0.5 B.sub.0.5 F'.sub.0.5 T.sub.0.5).sub.2 G.sub.9                                       +        +                                            11       (BT).sub.2 G.sub.9                                                                             +        -                                            ______________________________________                                          *Precipitated out after standing at room temperature for 3 weeks.        

A polyimidesiloxane that is soluble in diglyme can be prepared by copolymerization of benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and DATF with siloxane monomer (Example 3). A diglyme soluble polymer is also produced by substitution of a tolyldiamine for a portion of the DATF (Example 7). The resulting product has other useful properties such as high tear strength. It was also found that a polyimidesiloxane that is insoluble in diglyme and made by copolymerizing ODPA and DATF with a siloxane monomer as in Example 1, can be made soluble in diglyme by reacting in some tolyldiamine as in Example 8.

In general, polyimidesiloxane made with a mixture of, for instance, 2,4- and 2,6-tolyldiamine are more soluble in diglyme than polymers made from a single tolyldiamine such as 1,4-tolyldiamine.

The solubility of the polyimidesiloxanes of the invention in low boiling, non-polar solvents, such as THF, NMP or diglyme is a function of the proportion of the siloxane component in the polyimidesiloxane and is also a function of the siloxane block size. Thus, the siloxane monomer is preferably present in a proportion and has a sufficient block size to render the polyimidesiloxane soluble in a solvent such as THF, NMP or preferably diglyme.

The polyimidesiloxanes of the invention are useful in a variety of applications in the micro-electronic industry. Such applications include use in the form of coatings as interlevel dielectrics and for encapsulation or passivations of semiconductors and hybrid integrated circuits. Coatings of the polyimidesiloxanes can be used in the fabrication of semiconductor devices in the following areas: (a) as a protective overcoat, (b) as an interlayer dielectric for multi-level devices, (c) as an alpha particle barrier, (d) as a non-implant mask, and (e) as an encapsulant. Most of these uses are described in detail by Lee and Craig in Polymer Materials for Electronic Applications, ACS Symposium, Ser. 184, page 108.

Other uses for the polyimidesiloxanes of the invention include wire and cable coatings, in fibers and films, and molded and extruded articles.

The polyimidesiloxane of BTDA and DATF, such as disclosed in Example 3 is particularly useful for heat sensitive semi-conductors and hybrid integrated circuitry. 

I claim:
 1. A solution comprising a substantially fully imidized polyimidesiloxane dissolved in a solvent, where said polyimidesiloxane comprises the reaction product of an organic dianhydride, a difunctional siloxane monomer, and an organic diamine having the formula ##STR40## where X is hydrogen, halide, phenyl or combinations thereof, ##STR41##
 2. The solution of claim 1 wherein the siloxane monomer is a siloxane diamine.
 3. The solution of claim 1 wherein the siloxane diamine has the formula ##STR42## wherein each R' is independently selected from the gorup consisting of substituted aliphatic difunctional radicals of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, unsubstituted aliphatic difunctional radicals of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, substituted aromatic difunctional radicals of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and unsubstituted aromatic difunctional radicals of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and wherein R₁ ', R₂ ', R₃ ' and R₄ ' are each independently selected from the group consisting of substituted aliphatic monofunctional radicals of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, unsubstituted aliphatic monofunctional radicals of 1 to 12 carbona toms, substituted aromatic monofunctional radicals of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, unsubstituted aromatic monofunctional radicals of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and hydroxyl, where at least oen of R₁ ', R₂ ', R₃ ' and R₄ ' is vinyl, hydroxyl, acrylic-, ethylenic-, or acetylenic-bearing radical, and m is 1 to about
 200. 4. The solution of claim 3 wherein at least oen of R₁ ', R₂ ', R₃ ', and R₄ ' is an acrylic-, ethylenic- or acetylenic-bearing radical.
 5. The solution of claim 1 wherein the siloxane monomer is a siloxane dianhydride.
 6. The solution of claim 1 wherein the solvent is selected from diglyme, triglyme, γ-butyrolactone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, tetrahydrofuran, methyl ethyl ketone, phenols or chlorinated solvents.
 7. An article comprising a substrate coated with a polyimidesiloxane, where the polyimidesiloxane comprises the reaction product of an organic dianhydride, a difunctional siloxane monomer, and an organic diamine having the formula ##STR43## wherein X is hydrogen, halide, phenyl or combinations thereof, ##STR44##
 8. An article of claim 7 wherein the substrate is a wire or cable.
 9. A film prepared from the polyimidesiloxane which comprises the reaction product of an organic dianhydride, a difunctional siloxane monomer, and an organic diamine having the formula ##STR45## wherein X is hydrogen, halide, phenyl or combinations thereof, ##STR46##
 10. A fiber prepared from a solution of a polyimidesiloxane according to claim
 1. 11. An extruded article prepared from a solution of a polyimidesiloxane according to claim
 1. 12. A cured composition prepared from a solution according to claim
 4. 13. A solution according to claim 1 wherein said polyimidesiloxane includes functionalities that are crosslinkable.
 14. A solution according to claim 1 wherein said organic dianhydride is an oxydiphthalic anhydride.
 15. A solution according to claim 1 wherein said organic dianhydride is 4,4'-oxydiphthalic anhydride.
 16. A solution according to claim 1 wherien said organic dianhydride is 4,4'-sulfurdiphthalic anhydride or 4,4'-sulfone diphthalic anhydride.
 17. A solution according to claim 1 wherein said organic dianhydride is benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride.
 18. A solution according to claim 1 wherein said organic dianhydride is biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride.
 19. A solution according to claim 1 wherein said organic dianhydride is bis(dicarboxyphenyl)-hexafluoropropene dianhydride.
 20. A solution according to claim 1 wherein said organic dianhydride is diether dianhydride.
 21. A solution according to claim 1 wherein said organic diamine has the formula ##STR47##
 22. A solution according to claim 21 wherein said organic diamine provides an asymmetrical structure in the polyimidesiloxane polymer chain.
 23. A solution according to claim 1 wherein said organic diamine is 2,4-tolyldiamine, 2,6-tolyldiamine or a mixture thereof.
 24. A solution according to claim 1 wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are methyl groups.
 25. A solution according to claim 13 wherein said functionalities are crosslinked.
 26. The article of claim 7 wherein said organic dianhydride is an oxydiphthalic anhydride.
 27. The article of claim 7 wherein said organic dianhydride is benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride.
 28. The article of claim 7 wherein said organic diamine has the formula ##STR48##
 29. The article of claim 7 wherein said siloxane diamine has the formula ##STR49## wherein each R' is independently selected from the group consisting of substituted aliphatic difunctional radicals of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, unsubstituted aliphatic difunctional radicals of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, substituted aromatic difunctional radicals of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and unsubstituted aromatic difunctional radicals of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and wherein R₁ ', R₂ ', R₃ ' and R₄ ' are each independently selected from the group consisting of substituted aliphatic monofunctional radicals of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, unsubstituted aliphatic monofunctional radicals of 1 to 12 carbon atoms, substituted aromatic monofunctional radicals of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, unsubstituted aromatic monofunctional radicals of 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and hydroxyl, where at least one of R₁ ', R₂ ', R₃ ', and R₄ ' is vinyl, hydroxyl, acrylic-, ethylenic-, or acetylenic-bearing radical, and m is 1 to about
 200. 30. The film of claim 9 wherein said organic dianhydride is an oxydiphthalic anhydride.
 31. The film of claim 9 wherein said orgnaic dianhydride is benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride.
 32. The film of claim 9 wherein said organic diamine has the formula ##STR50##
 33. The film of claim 9 wherein said siloxane diamine has the formula ##STR51## 